India Condemns Gulf Shipping Attacks at UN as Global South Faces Trade Squeeze

India Raises Alarm Over Maritime Security at United Nations

India issued a sharp condemnation of attacks on commercial shipping during the ongoing Gulf conflict, calling the violence against seafarers and vessels “simply unacceptable” at the United Nations General Assembly. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar used the high-level platform to warn that the weaponisation of global conflicts is inflicting severe damage on countries of the Global South through disruptions to food, fuel, and trade supplies. His remarks came during the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where New Delhi declared it remained deeply concerned over continuing hostilities in multiple regions.

The Indian foreign minister specifically highlighted the targeting of commercial vessels and maritime crew in international waterways, calling on all sides to show restraint and de-escalate tensions. Jaishankar demanded that all parties protect civilians and ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce through critical shipping lanes. He also raised concern over conflicts in other regions, including Ukraine and West Asia, noting their wider impact on food, fuel, and supply chains. The minister emphasised that India is particularly troubled by the maritime dimension of the Gulf crisis, which has added new challenges to longstanding problems on land.

“This year, we are witnessing a conflict in the Gulf, one that is exacerbating an already difficult situation. We remain deeply concerned over continuing hostilities,” Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar drew attention to attacks spanning multiple bodies of water, stating that commercial shipping and seafarers have come under fire in the Gulf region and from the Red Sea to the Black Sea. He stressed that it is “completely unacceptable” that seafarers from India and other countries have lost their lives in these attacks. The minister’s remarks underscored India’s position that maritime security must not be compromised under any circumstances, and that scrupulously observing international law forms an integral element of protecting shipping lanes and crew members.

New Coalition Launched to Protect Seafarers

On the eve of his General Assembly address, Jaishankar and Liberia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Sara Beysolow Nyanti launched the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers. The initiative brings together 23 other partner nations and aims to mobilise global public opinion against attacks on commercial vessels and maritime personnel. The coalition represents a coordinated international effort to safeguard the lives of seafarers and ensure the free flow of global commerce through threatened waterways.

At the launch event, Jaishankar referenced two recent incidents that illustrate the deadly toll of maritime violence. He revealed that the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier MV Cape Dao was attacked in the Gulf of Oman days earlier, resulting in the death of an Indian sailor. In an earlier incident, the Panama-flagged oil tanker El Gaia was struck while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, after which an Indian crew member was also killed. These specific examples brought home the human cost of the ongoing maritime insecurity.

Global South Bears Disproportionate Burden

The Indian minister expanded his critique beyond maritime security to address the broader impact of global conflicts on developing nations. Jaishankar warned that the weaponisation of everything in modern conflicts is hurting countries of the Global South disproportionately. The disruption of shipping lanes, combined with conflicts in multiple regions, has created a cascade effect on food security, energy supplies, and trade networks that developing nations depend upon for economic stability and growth.

India’s position reflects growing frustration among Global South nations that find themselves caught in the crossfire of conflicts they did not initiate. The disruption to critical supply chains affects not only immediate economic interests but also threatens long-term development goals and food security for billions of people. Jaishankar’s remarks highlighted that the international community must recognise how conflicts in one region create ripple effects that damage vulnerable economies across continents.

Call for International Law and Restraint

The external affairs minister emphasised that safeguarding the safety and security of shipping and seafarers must never be compromised under any circumstances. He insisted that scrupulously observing international law forms an integral element of protecting maritime commerce and the lives of crew members who keep global trade flowing. Jaishankar’s call for restraint extended to all parties involved in regional conflicts, urging immediate de-escalation to prevent further loss of life and disruption to international commerce.

India’s position carries significant weight given its role as a major maritime nation with millions of sailors serving on commercial vessels worldwide. The country has a direct stake in protecting the lives of its citizens working at sea and ensuring the security of shipping lanes that are vital to its energy imports and trade. By launching the Group of Friends initiative, New Delhi is positioning itself as a leader in building international consensus on maritime security issues that affect multiple nations.

Strategic Implications for India

The attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf region pose direct challenges to India’s energy security and economic interests. The country imports a substantial portion of its oil and gas through these threatened waterways, making the free flow of energy supplies a matter of national priority. Any sustained disruption to shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz or surrounding waters could have severe economic consequences for India and other nations dependent on Gulf energy exports.

India’s diplomatic push at the United Nations reflects a broader strategy to protect its interests while building coalitions among like-minded nations. The 24-nation coalition on seafarer safety demonstrates New Delhi’s ability to mobilise international support around shared concerns. By framing maritime security as a Global South issue, India is also positioning itself as a voice for developing nations facing the spillover effects of conflicts in distant regions.

The minister’s comprehensive approach, addressing conflicts from Ukraine to West Asia and their impact on food, fuel, and supply chains, signals India’s recognition that modern security challenges transcend traditional boundaries. The country is asserting its role as a responsible global actor advocating for international law, civilian protection, and the preservation of critical trade routes that underpin the world economy. As maritime attacks continue to claim lives and disrupt commerce, India’s leadership in building international consensus on these issues takes on growing importance for global stability and economic security.